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If you live in an area where you need your snow plow frequently during the winter, the last thing you want to do when the flurries start to fall again is to spend a lot of time or money restoring the unit to its safe and functional condition. Unfortunately, that problem happens every year, often due to mistakes that are made when putting the snow plow away for the season. Therefore, it's a good idea to apply the following advice as you're getting to put your snow plow away until next winter.

Clean The Unit Thoroughly Before Putting It Away

It is easy to glance at the snow plow, wipe it down and put it away when you are sure that you won't need it again for a while. However, before doing so, you might want to consider the various substances that it has recently come into contact with. Given that some blades on snow plows can be up to nine feet wide, the possibilities can be extensive.

For instance, the salt, dirt, animal waste and other contaminants could easily find hiding spaces within the grooves and components of the snow plow, even if you don't see them right away. Those materials can contribute to damage, rust and other issues that could detract from the condition of the plow when you need to pull it from storage the next time.

Therefore, it's best to refer to the owner's manual to verify appropriate cleaning techniques and products, before removing or otherwise thoroughly cleaning as much of the unit as you can safely access.

Consider Where The Snow Plow Will Be Stored

Another detail to consider is where you plan to store your snow plow for the next few months. For instance, many people opt to store it in their shed or under a carport. However, those areas are rarely waterproof and even if you cover the unit in plastic, sand, rain, and dirt could still sneak in and inflict damage.

Instead, it's a good idea to find a place for it in your garage. If that's not an option and you must use your shed, weatherproof the area by adding extra insulation near the seams and the door to prevent any unexpected water or contaminants from entering the area. If you must use your carport, hang plastic sheeting to create walls around where the snow plow will rest to provide an extra layer of protection and still plan to wrap the unit in plastic.

Regardless of where the snow plow is stored or how you choose to protect it, you should check on its condition regularly to verify that your preparation efforts have been successful.

In conclusion, a snow plow is often an expensive purchase and its maintenance or repair can be similarly burdensome. As a result, the information shared above will be quite useful when you hope to retrieve from storage next winter the same functional, intact, and safe snow plow that has served you so well during this season's weather challenges. Contact a plow dealer, like JTS Asphalt Services, for more help.